Safety, equality and justice for transgender and intersex persons

About

Rainbow Identity Association is the very first and remains the only organisation in Botswana to focus on the needs and rights of the transgender and intersex communities in Botswana. It was formed by a group of concerned activists in Botswana in 2008 to address the challenges faced by the transgender and intersex community in Botswana and to promote their rights, access to services and overall visibility that works to minimise stigma and discrimination in general society. After a long and tiresome struggle, one of its biggest successes was its formal registration in 2010. It has since established an office where transgender and intersex persons and their allies can gather to benefit from its services, socialise, organise and collectively act.

"A world with gender equity and justice in which transgender and intersex persons possessing all genders and diverse identities feel safe, valued and respected."

Vision

To advocate for the inclusion of transgender and intersex people across all spaces and to challenge the stigmatising and discriminatory social treatment of transgender and intersex bodies, identities and people as unjust.

Services

RIA provides a variety of services to its community, including organising entertainment, sporting and recreational events in a safe environment to provide opportunities for community building

Facilitating referrals for health care focusing on–

mental health specialists and counsellors and for psychosocial support